Scoping mission by E8 for the development of Solar-Diesel Hybrid project in collaboration with ADB

A meeting was held yesterday at the Ministry of Housing and Environment with officials from Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc, Ministry of Housing and Environment, President’s Office, Ministry of Finance and STELCO to discuss on developing a solar pilot project for a small island of the Maldives.

The two day Kansai mission to Maldives, lead by Mr. Taiichi Kaizuka and Mr. Yoshiaki Mino of Kansai Electric Power Co. Inc, was aimed at collecting information to develop a project proposal for a solar-diesel hybrid system in the Maldives, in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank. This process will include obtaining information on previous experiences of Maldives in implementing pilot projects, resource data collection, costing considerations, determining the criteria for the identification of potential site and scheduling of feasibility studies and project development.

The objectives of this project will include the establishment of a pilot solar-diesel hybrid power system, with focus on sustainability in terms of maintenance and proper long-term capacity building.

Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc is one of the major electric power companies of Japan, representing the e8 group which is a non-profit organisation composed of the largest electric utility companies operating in various countries around the world. The E8’s strategies are focussed on addressing sustainable development, climate change, social trust and internationalisation with regard to power industry.